TBH 2

by Lisa Greenwald

  My mom is going to email ur moms

  She is very mad

  Wanted 2 warn u

  Bye luv u guys

  GABRIELLE

  Wait what

  Explain more

  PRIANKA

  So confused

  Cece, where r u?

  GABRIELLE

  Victoria, r u still here?

  PRIANKA

  WIGO

  GABRIELLE

  4 real

  No clue

  From: Priscilla Melford

  To: Manjula Basak, Elizabeth Anderson, Diana Katz

  Subject: Technology problems

  Hello, Manjula, Elizabeth, and Diana:

  I am deeply disturbed by the way our daughters communicate. Every time I look at Victoria, she is “texting” your daughters.

  Victoria was “messaging” in study hall in school and her computer has been confiscated for a week.

  Please speak to your children about this. I’m concerned. Victoria was never this “attached” to technology before. I am glad she has made friends, but this is unacceptable.

  Thank you,

  Priscilla

  SQUAD

  GABRIELLE

  Omg

  Did u hear what happened 2 Victoria

  PRIANKA

  That she is in loooooove with Arjun

  It’s ooc

  CECILY

  Even Victoria is in luv with some1

  PRIANKA

  IDK

  But what happened 4 real

  GABRIELLE

  LOL

  U r gonna laugh

  She was caught iMessaging with Arjun so now she’s suspended and she lost comp privs for 1 week

  CECILY

  Wahhh

  PRIANKA

  That’s terrible

  GABRIELLE

  IK

  Her mom is sooooo mad

  That’s what she was warning us about

  CECILY

  Srsly this is why I said no iMessaging in school 4 real

  PRIANKA

  Totally

  CECILY

  Guys, I am the only 1 in the grade who is not in luv w/ some1

  WTH

  Prianka, Gabrielle

  PRIANKA

  Why is Cece being so weird

  I feel like she’s on some kind of power trip bc she is in charge of the booths 4 spring fair & bc she is class rep & always @ meetings

  GABRIELLE

  Pri, that’s so rude

  ALSO NO SIDE CHATS

  PRIANKA

  Just sayin

  She’s also so weird about boy stuff

  Did u ever realize that

  Why is she scared of boys

  GABRIELLE

  Stop

  She is who she is

  Remember tolerance

  & accepting each other

  PRIANKA

  IK but still

  Victoria—r u ok? XOXO Gabs

  :( not really. My parents are so so mad at me. I may never get my phone back or be able to use the computer. Crying. XOX Victoria

  Hang in there. It’ll be okay.

  Thanks. U r a good friend.

  Vishal, Prianka

  VISHAL

  Yo

  PRIANKA

  Yo yo yo

  VISHAL

  R u free 2 go 2 the movies w/ Arjun & Victoria this wknd

  PRIANKA

  Ummm

  VISHAL

  IDK what that means

  PRIANKA

  I’m thinking bout it

  I thought she was in soooo much trouble

  VISHAL

  IDK

  Arjun just asked me

  PRIANKA

  Ok I’ll go

  VISHAL

  Cool

  Bye

  Hi Hi Best Neighbor Ever Dear Cecily,

  I had so much fun hanging with you yesterday. I am so sorry I lost your other letter and never wrote back. Please forgive me. We will def do that backyard camping trip.

  But I forgot to ask and I need to know who first suggested marriage booth. Now everyone is obsessed with it. I am so curious. I don’t get it. And I kind of hate how all the girls are so boy crazy. There is more to life than talking about boys! Ya know?!!?

  Also, so so happy you love my “inspiring-messages wall” at the fair! It will look so cool when we have little pieces of colorful paper all over covered with happy, inspiring things on them.

  I didn’t even realize this when I first thought of it but it goes with the theme this semester of looking inward and exploring our diversity or whatever it’s called.

  What do you think of my calligraphy? Just started a calligraphy class at the community center.

  Cool calligraphy, right?

  Want to come over for pizza Friday?

  XOXO Mara

  Hi Mara—

  Nice calligraphy. Impressed!

  I can’t tell you who suggested it, I have to keep all ideas anonymous. But yeah, everyone is obsessed. So weird.

  I am so glad you feel the same way I do about all the boy craziness. There is so much more to talk and think about. The boys in our grade are soooo immature.

  Yes pizza this Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

  XOXO Cecily

  Dear Diary,

  I haven’t written in you in soooo long. TBH, I kind of forgot about you. So sorry! I know that’s really mean. Things are good though. I’m going on a camping trip with Cecily and Prianka this summer. But I am so so nervous about it. I don’t even know if I like that naturey adventure stuff. I pretty much hate hiking. And what if I don’t like the other kids? Sometimes I wonder if I will just bail last minute. Would my friends hate me? I still love Colin. Just in case you were wondering. :)

  Anyway, that’s all for now. Bye!

  XOXO

  Gabby

  Arjun, Victoria

  VICTORIA

  Finally got my phone back

  How r u

  ARJUN

  Ok

  VICTORIA

  What’s wrong

  ARJUN

  Peeps from my old school r still bugging me

  They r emailing me all this rude stuff & texting me

  My mom may have to call the police

  So messed up

  VICTORIA

  That’s terrible

  I’m sorry

  ARJUN

  Thx

  VICTORIA

  I’m happy u r here tho

  ARJUN

  LOL

  Me 2

  Glad I met u

  VICTORIA

  Awwwww just got an amazing idea

  ARJUN

  ?

  VICTORIA

  U should make a speech at an assembly one day soon

  Abt what happened to u & how we can’t let it happen here

  Raise awareness and stuff

  U know they r always asking 4 student speakers

  ARJUN

  4 real?

  VICTORIA

  Yes def

  ARJUN

  IDK

  I just got here

  VICTORIA

  That’s why its so powerful

  I was new this yr 2

  And it’s sooooooo hard

  ARJUN

  Yeah IDK

  VICTORIA

  Well think about it

  ARJUN

  K

  gtg

  See u tomrw

  VICTORIA

  Bye

  SQUAD

  PRIANKA

  Omg I am freaking out about this double date

  It suddenly feels soooo serious

  I can’t even change my emojis RN

  Where r u guys

  Answer me

  R u 2 hanging w/o me

  I mean honestly who would’ve thought my 1st double date wld be w/ Victoria??????

  Helloooooooooooo

  SQUAD

  CECILY

  So sorry

  Had to stay after to meet w/ Mr. C & othe
r teachers about spring fair

  Sorry my responses are so slow

  Super hectic times for this 6th grade rep LOL

  PRIANKA

  Where is Gabs

  CECILY

  IDK

  PRIANKA

  So weird

  So what should I do about this double date

  Do I sit b/t Vish and Arj @ the movie

  CECILY

  IDK

  U know I have no idea about any of this stuff

  I can ask Ingrid b/c she has some boy experience

  PRIANKA

  Noooooo

  CECILY

  LOL

  OK

  So just go w/ it

  It’ll be ok

  PRIANKA

  Fine whatever

  GABRIELLE

  Hiiii, guys

  Sorry I am chiming in so late

  U r never going to believe this

  Ready

  CECILY

  Ummmm scared but ok

  PRIANKA

  Same

  GABRIELLE

  Sooooo . . . Colin came up to me @ the bus line

  And he sat next to m

  me

  & then he asked if he could walk me home

  PRIANKA

  WHATTTTTTTTTTTT

  CECILY

  GO ON

  GABRIELLE

  So I said ok

  My mom was gonna be home though sooooo awk

  And he came over for like 15 min

  CECILY

  Wowie

  GABRIELLE

  WAIT

  We walked outside when he was leaving

  AND HE KISSED ME RIGHT THERE BY THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

  PRIANKA

  Whattttt

  GABRIELLE

  I KNOW

  I was not ready

  I mean I was bc I’ve liked him 4ever

  But I didn’t expect that AT ALL

  CECILY

  U had ur 1st kiss today

  TBH THIS IS A BIG DEAL

  And u told us over text

  OMGGGGGGGGGG

  GABRIELLE

  I knooooowwwww

  What does this mean

  PRIANKA

  Ummmmm

  He obv likes u

  GABRIELLE

  Yeah

  But I mean do we hang out again

  Do we kiss all the time now

  CECILY

  LOL

  Not in school

  PRIANKA

  Def not

  This is sooooo weirddddd

  GABRIELLE

  Bugging out

  CECILY

  I gtg help my mom bring in groceries

  Talk later

  PRIANKA

  I want more deets, Gabs

  Pleaaaaaseeeeeeeeeee

  GABRIELLE

  That’s really ittttttttt

  But srsly buggin

  PRIANKA

  K I gtg 2 Xoxoxo

  GABRIELLE

  Bye, loves

  Cecily, Mara

  CECILY

  U there

  I have 2 tell u something

  Promise u won’t tell

  MARA

  Hi yea

  CECILY

  Gabby had her 1st kiss 2day

  Isn’t that so crazy

  MARA

  OMG yes

  CECILY

  I have never liked any1

  have u

  MARA

  Noooooo

  CECILY

  K

  MARA

  LOL

  Dear Cece,

  I kind of like how we write each other real letters, don’t you? Anyway, you are the best neighbor in the world. You’re an amazing 6th grade rep, and an all-around wonderful person! Don’t stress about the boy stuff. You rock. XOXOX Mara

  Vishal, Prianka

  VISHAL

  Yo

  PRIANKA

  Yo yo

  VISHAL

  R u & Victoria meeting us @ movies

  PRIANKA

  Ummm IDK

  I guess so

  VISHAL

  K see u there at 4:30

  We need time 2 get snacks

  PRIANKA

  K

  Victoria, Prianka

  PRIANKA

  Can ur mom drive us 2 the movies

  My mom has to take my bro to soccer

  And my dad is out of town

  VICTORIA

  Sure

  R we meeting Vishal & Arjie there

  PRIANKA

  Yes

  VICTORIA

  K don’t say anything about Arjie and Vishal coming

  PRIANKA

  K

  LOL u call him Arjie

  VICTORIA

  Y LOL

  PRIANKA

  Just funny nickname

  VICTORIA

  Okkkkk

  I’ll be at ur house at 4:15

  PRIANKA

  K bye

  CECILY

  R u at the movies

  Bugging out 4 u

  Need all deets

  PRIANKA

  We r here

  In line 4 snacks

  Victoria has her arm around Arjun LOL

  I think he is soooo confused

  CECILY

  Y confused?

  PRIANKA

  Bc Victoria like scooped him up

  IDK I can’t explain it

  CECILY

  Ok well good luck

  I want all deets when u get home

  PRIANKA

  K def

  CECILY

  Promise

  PRIANKA

  Of course bye xoxoxoxo

  CECILY

  Xoxoxoxo

  Unknown, Cecily

  MAYBE: CAMILA

  Hi, Cecily, this is ur # rite

  It’s Camila from English

  I want to bring food in for the fair

  My dad makes amazing tamales

  Sorry if this is 2 late 2 text u

  Camila, Cecily

  CECILY

  Hi sorry just got all of these

  Sounds great

  I put ur # in my phone now LOL

  CAMILA

  K good

  Nighty nighty

  From: Colin Hayes

  To: Cecily Anderson

  Subject: Idea

  Hi,

  Remember when we were badminton partners? LOL.

  But for real I had an idea. I think some money raised from Spring Fair should be donated to refugee families. Ya know how it’s so hard for them to even come here? And then get resettled? A refugee family moved in with some peeps around the corner from me and I know they would love to get their own place but it is so hard. They also have like 5 kids.

  There are so many families like that I bet.

  Anyway, just an idea.

  Peace,

  Colin

  Dear Diary,

  Is that what I will call you? I wonder if I will ever really write in you. No offense. But I’m not really a diary person. We also have a journal for school now and it’s sort of gotten me into the idea of writing down my thoughts but I’m glad to have a private one.

  Aunt Sheila brought you to me when she came to stay last summer and I just saw you sitting on my shelf looking so lonely and I have a lot on my mind so I figured I’d write in you.

  Anyway . . . I can’t fall asleep.

  Not much going on. Well, that’s not true. Colin kissed Gabby. And Prianka is on a double date right now. So I guess I feel kind of left out in that area. And everyone is obsessed with this marriage booth thing at Spring Fair. But I don’t really like anyone. At least I don’t think I do. I mean, Kenny Fong is kind of cute but we don’t really talk except for when he asks me what the math homework is. At least Mara doesn’t like anyone either. That makes me feel better. She’s lived next door my whole life but we only became friends this year. So weird.

  Also it’s weird that everyone is so
excited about a marriage booth at the fair. Like why can’t we just be kids for a little longer? It feels like everyone is in such a rush to be grown up and I don’t get it. I like being a kid.

  Any advice?

  LOL. I didn’t think so.

  Well, see ya soon.

  Love,

  Cecily

  UPDATE

  PRIANKA

  I just snuck out to the bathroom

  Gotta make this quick

  Vishal put his arm around me in the movie for 13 seconds

  I counted but then he took it away

  What does this mean

  GABRIELLE

  LOL No clue

  R u having fun tho

  PRIANKA

  Uh I think so

  IDK

  CECILY

  R Victoria and Arjun all cuddly

  PRIANKA

  Kinda but not too much

  They r sharing popcorn

  CECILY

  Wowwwie

  PRIANKA

  What if Vishal wants 2 hold my hand or something 4 the rest of the movie

  GABRIELLE

  U can always say ur hands r sweaty

  PRIANKA

  K good idea

  GABRIELLE

  Go back 2 the movie, Pri

  U r doing great

  PRIANKA

  K bye

  Colin, Gabrielle

  COLIN

  Yo

  GABRIELLE

  Hi hi

  COLIN

  I hope that wasn’t weird the other day

  IDK what happened

  GABRIELLE

  Um it wasn’t that weird

  COLIN

  Ok good

  GABRIELLE

  So what else is up

  COLIN

  Nothin

  Playin video games

  GABRIELLE

  Cool

  COLIN

  U

  GABRIELLE

  NM

  Excited 4 spring fair

  R u

  COLIN

  Yeah

  GABRIELLE

  Cool

  COLIN

  Cool

  Dear Journal,

  OMG I can’t even write what happened because my mom snoops. (HI, MOM! STOP SNOOPING! NOW! I KNOW YOU’RE STILL READING! STOP!)

  Anyway, something major happened. That’s all. Bye! Love you!

  —Gabby

  From: Cecily Anderson

  To: Colin Hayes

  Subject: RE: Idea

  Hi Colin,

  Lol badminton!

  That is a great idea. Sorry I am so slow to reply. Life is so hectic being 6th grade rep. It’s more meetings than people realize! And I am already starting to plan Spirit Week! Wait for that in June . . . :)